Help Build a Straw Bale Home for Pakistani Earthquake Victims
Assalamu’ Alaikum,
We are writing today to ask for your help in building a wheelchair accessible straw bale home for spinal cord injury patient Saadia Noor. Saadia was ni9ne years old when she was crushed under rubble during the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. She spent the next six months in a hospital, and then returned to her village of Bagh where she developed bedsores due to lack of medical care. She was subsequently taken to the National Institute of Handicapped in Islamabad where she lived for two years and learned to do exercises and take care of herself.
The family then moved to Rawalpindi where Saadia was able to receive private tutoring through the 10th grade. Saadia’s father, who suffered from mental illness before the earthquake, became much worse afterwards and recently had to be hospitalized. Her mother is a simple village woman and Saadia has three younger brothers. The family has now returned to Bagh and has been split among relatives due to financial hardship. Her dream is to have a handicap accessible home to improve her mobility and living conditions, and to unite and provide stability for her family.
Spinal Cord Injury Project for Pakistan Earthquake Rehabilitation (SCIPPER) and Pakistan Straw Bale and Appropriate Building (PAKSBAB) are partnering in this Ramadan/Eid campaign to build Saadia a home. SCIPPER, established in 2005, is working for the rehabilitation of survivors paralyzed during the earthquake and helping to rebuild their dignity and independence. PAKSBAB has been working in the earthquake affected region since early 2006 and to date has built 25 energy-efficient and earthquake-safe homes utilizing local labor and indigenous renewable materials. The two organizations recently collaborated on a successful straw bale house project for an SCI patient in Mansehra, (see picture).
Please make a donation today by writing a check to 501(c)(3) registered project sponsor Hashoo Foundation (memo: for Saadia Noor’s home) and mail to SCIPPER, 10551 Wilshire Blvd. #904, Los Angeles, CA 90024. The goal is to raise $10,000 to buy land and build Saadia a handicap accessible straw bale home with two rooms, veranda, kitchen and bath. Thank you for your generosity and for giving Saadia and her family the hope of a brighter future.
PAKSBAB or SCIPPER will plan to be present at the Sacramento (September 3rd) and Pleasanton (September 24th) Pakistan Independence Day celebrations ( Northern California) to raise funds for this effort.
With much gratitude,
Zeba, Zeba and Darcey
